The Magpies have had a near £11m bid rejected by Marseille but remain optimistic about their chances of landing the 22-year-old, who they believe can have the same impact at St James' Park as compatriots David Ginola and Laurent Robert.

Marseille have slapped a £15m price tag on Thauvin and while Newcastle will not match that valuation, they will table an improved offer over the next 24 hours.

And the Toon's transfer team believe the fact they are ready to pay the entire fee immediately will persuade Marseille to cash in.

Thauvin, who has been tracked by Newcastle for the past 18 months, is known to be keen to join the six-strong band of Frenchmen, including Moussa Sissoko, already at the club.

Newcastle have already been assured that Dimitri Payet's move to West Ham will not affect any deal.

McClaren had hoped to make a breakthrough in the transfer market by now, well aware that after last season's brush with relegation and unrest in the stands, Newcastle fans are wanting concrete evidence of a new era under the former England coach.

Managing director Lee Charnley remains in talks with QPR about top target Charlie Austin and despite claims from his manager that he shouldn't join Newcastle, Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost remains on the club's radar.

Schalke defender Joet Matip is another signing the Geordies are closing in on with chief scout Graham Carr having spent several days in Germany over the past fortnight trying to finalise a deal.

Two new arrivals set to be announced are those of McClaren's former Derby No. 2 Paul Simpson as his assistant and, as exclusively revealed in Starsport on Tuesday, Ian Cathro as first team coach.

Cathro, just 29, has been working at La Liga giants Valencia for the past two years and the Scot is regarded as one of the brightest coaching talents around.

Newcastle want to bring in at least six new players but there will be departures too.

Cheick Tiote is likely to be one of the first to leave with mega-rich Gulf outfits Al Ahli and Al Jazira both keen to sign him.

Turkish side Trabzonspor also want Tiote along with striker Papiss Cisse.